Quebecers are still reeling between shock and rejection at the new alcohol-drinking recommendations that have sparked passions all week. For many, including a cardiologist, it’s overkill, even if they think the province is drinking too much.
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“In Quebec, we drink too much and trivialize alcohol,” says cardiologist Martin Juneau.
However, he doesn’t endorse any recommendations issued this week by the Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), saying no amount of alcohol is safe.
“There is a bias in this group. They show the negative aspects of alcohol without putting them into perspective,” laments the director of the Montreal Heart Institute’s Prevention Observatory.
Having fewer than three drinks a week would be a low risk, says CCSA. A drastic drop compared to the recommendations of Éduc’Alcool, which estimated moderation at 10 glasses for women and 15 for men. For example, France and Australia recommend 10 glasses a week, while the Netherlands advocate abstinence.
dr Juneau believes one glass of alcohol, preferably wine, with food for women and two for men is safe and even beneficial against a heart attack.
For the cardiologist, Quebecers need to “individualize” their risks. For example, if there is a family history of colon cancer, it is better to be even more careful with alcohol, a carcinogen of the digestive system.
“It’s cyclic”
“It rather amused me as a researcher with my eyes,” says Caroline Robert, a PhD student in history at UQAM on the social and moral regulation of alcohol, of general anger over the more restrictive recommendations.
“It is cyclical that two visions face each other, those who applaud [plus de restrictions] and those clamoring for a ban,” she continues.
“It’s confronting, admits psychologist Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier. […] It’s easier to discredit the validity of the recommendations than to question yourself. »
She realizes that alcohol, especially wine, is held in high regard in society, whether as a reward after a long day or as a gift.
Reduce before stopping
“Science says we need to cut back, not stop,” said Marianne Dessureault, alcohol spokesperson at the Association pour la santé publique du Québec.
If the news surprised, even shook, Quebecers, it didn’t come out of nowhere, she said. Several countries are revising their recommendations downwards.
“When the dust settles, people might think, ‘I’d rather be up to date and make my decisions in an informed way,'” she believes, adding that a lot of alcohol advertising also puts pressure on Quebecers.
For its part, Éduc’alcool said it takes note of Canada’s new alcohol guidelines and will develop its prevention campaigns.
WHAT SAYS THE NEW GUIDELINES?
For every week
- Low risk: 2 glasses or less
- Moderate risk: 3 to 6 glasses
- High risk: 7 glasses or more
A drink is:
- A glass of wine
(5 oz, 142 ml, 12% alcohol) - A bottle of cider
(12 oz, 341 ml, 5% alcohol) - A bottle of beer
(12 oz, 341 ml, 5% alcohol) - A glass of spirits
(1.5 oz, 43 ml, 40% alcohol)
The results
Alcohol can lead to certain cardiovascular diseases, cancer, but also to accidental injuries and acts of violence.
Source: Canada Center on Substance Use and Addiction
No loss of popularity
No worries on the horizon for wine producers and distributors of specialty alcohol products, but they are seeing a new tangent in consumers.
“We think it will persuade some consumers to drink less but better,” said Simon Naud, winemaker and owner of Domaine de la Bauge in Estrie.
Especially since there is a growing interest in local wines.
“It’s a whole industry that has been developing for 15 to 20 years, it would be a shame to come and cut it down,” comments Normand Guénette, owner of Le Chat Botté winery in Montérégie.
The owner of the Tite Frette boutique on Sainte-Catherine-Street notices that things are slowly changing.
“People will not stop drinking tomorrow, but there are many who are already switching between alcoholic and non-alcoholic microbrewery beers,” explains Mathieu Morand.
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